People of the Lightning(150)
“Yes,” she answered. “My husband’s name is Woodduck. You’ve met him, I think. I carry his child.” As if to push it from her body, she put both hands on her belly and pressed hard. Sick rage contorted her face. “He is a renowned warrior, but I am his third wife, so I do all of the things the other wives do not wish to. They treat me badly. It is not a good life, Diver, and I … I miss my family very much. How is Black Urchin?” Anguish tightened her eyes.
“Your husband is well. He still loves you. After you were captured, I thought he would go mad. He—”
“No.” She squeezed Diver’s hands hard. “Do not tell me. I couldn’t bear to hear it, Diver. But—but please tell him, when you get home, that my souls live because of him. He fills my thoughts and dreams. Every day. If I thought I—”
“It’s time, Glasswort,” Cottonmouth said as he turned. Wind whipped strands of his silvered black hair around his handsome face. “Your family is waiting for you. But before you go, please show Diver what you made for him. I wish him to know it came from your hands, not mine.”
Glasswort frowned, and hesitated, then reached over and shook the folds from the tunic. “I made this for you, Diver. It eased my homesickness. I begged the Spirit Elder to allow me to give it to you and, after he saw it, he agreed. But—” she glanced at Cottonmouth—“but only so long as I brought it to you myself.”
Diver could not speak. He just stared. The wind flapped the garment, making the blue lightning bolt painted across the breast seem to flash and soar. From the depths of his memories, Cottonmouth’s voice seeped … . I did not know until last night that you would be there at my side when the world ends … . I don’t know why you’re there … . I think you must have joined me, become one of my followers, because you are wearing a tunic made here, at Standing Hollow Horn. It had a blue zigzag … .
“Thank you, Glasswort,” Diver choked out hoarsely. “It’s beautiful.”
“I wanted you to be warm.” Her voice broke. She hugged Diver tightly one last time, then rose to her feet. “Good-bye.” Quickly, she walked across the shelter and trotted into the village.
Diver ran his index finger along the blue zigzag, tracing the bolt’s path across the tunic. His mouth had gone dry.
Cottonmouth leaned against the shelter pole in front of Diver, arms folded across his muscular chest, watching. His eyes gleamed like huge black moons. That gaze alone made Diver tremble; it brimmed with terrifying faith. The firelight from the village struck his face at an angle, throwing the right side into shadow, but the rest … his nose and full lips might have been sculpted from the purest amber.
Cottonmouth’s deep voice filled the world, as silken as spun cobwebs. “Why isn’t she here, Diver?”
“ … Who?”
“She should have been here yesterday. With the White Lightning Boy. Two of my own warriors straggled in last night. They told me about the battle. If they could get here … she should have been able to as well.”
“I told you she wouldn’t come. Not to rescue me. It would be foolish when Windy Cove needs her so badly. And, no matter what you may think of her, she is not a fool, Cottonmouth.” Diver glared.
“Something must have happened.” Cottonmouth shook his head. “But I don’t understand why my Dreams haven’t warned me about the delay.”
“I’ve noticed that everyone seems to be readying themselves. I didn’t know whether for Sun Mother’s Winter Celebration Day, or their journey to this shining new world you’ve promised them.”
“They will happen at the same time, Diver.” The crowsfeet around his eyes deepened. He shoved away from the pole and dropped his hands to his sides. “But I thought I would have some time with her first. I need—”
“What do you mean they will happen at the same time? Winter solstice … I—I’ve lost track of time. Isn’t solstice in just a few days?”
Cottonmouth nodded. “And the Lightning Birds will come for me at dusk. If she does not arrive soon, I won’t have the time with her that I need!”
Diver’s eyes narrowed. Fear knotted his belly, threatening to wring more dry heaves from him. “I thought you said you only needed her to bring you the Lightning Boy. So he could free you. Why do you need time with Musselwhite?”
A shudder went through Cottonmouth, but his eyes never left Diver. He clenched his hands into fists, and hesitated a long time before replying, his face tense with struggle. “There are questions I must ask her.”